Pace bowler Will O’Rourke’s four-wicket spell led New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the tri-nations series final on Friday.
O’Rourke’s impressive performance of 4 wickets for 43 runs helped limit Pakistan to a total of 242 runs in 49.3 overs. In response, Daryl Mitchell scored 57 runs off 58 balls, and Tom Latham also contributed with a half-century, leading New Zealand to a total of 243 runs for 5 wickets in 45.2 overs at Karachi’s National Stadium. This victory puts New Zealand in a strong position ahead of their Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan at the same venue on Wednesday.
The match saw New Zealand facing early setbacks, losing opener Will Young to pacer Naseem Shah for five. However, Devon Conway (48) and Kane Williamson (34) repaired the innings with a 71-run partnership. After Salman Agha dismissed Williamson and Naseem Shah dismissed Conway, the chase struggled at 108-3. However, Mitchell and Latham then formed an 87-run partnership, stabilizing the innings.
Mitchell, who struck six boundaries, fell to spinner Abrar Ahmed, but by then, New Zealand had only required 48 runs. Latham and Glenn Phillips (20 not out) quickly reduced the deficit, securing the win.
Naseem Shah was a highlight in Pakistan’s lacklustre bowling, claiming 2-43 from eight overs. New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, acknowledged the varied contributions from the team but emphasized the importance of maintaining focus for the upcoming Champions Trophy game.
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, attributed the loss to New Zealand’s tight bowling, noting that his crucial wicket contributed to Pakistan falling 15 runs short of their 280-plus target.
Earlier in the day, spinners Santner (2-20) and Michael Bracewell (2-38) complemented O’Rourke, keeping Pakistan’s total manageable. Rizwan led Pakistan’s scoring with 46, while Salman Agha added 45. Pakistan’s innings struggled with the slow and variable bounce at the National Stadium, and they lost early wickets, including Fakhar Zaman and Saud Shakeel.
Babar Azam achieved a personal milestone during his 29-run inning, matching South African Hashim Amla as the joint fastest to reach 6,000 runs in one-day internationals.
The match concluded with New Zealand securing the series and setting a positive tone for their next challenge at the Champions Trophy.
